The French and Indian War

The French and Indian War SS8H3a. Explain the immediate and long-term causes of the American Revolution and their impact on Georgia; include the French and Indian War (i.e., Seven Years War)…

Prelude • The French and Indian War was the result of disputes between France and Great Britain that had been going on for almost 65 years. • The causes of the 9 year war that began in 1754 were: • GREED – the desire to have the most land in the New World and control the treasures of the territory. • FEAR – that one country would gain more power than the other. • With the exception of population differences in America, France and Great Britain were well matched.

British – French Comparison Great Britain France Stronger Army Trading partners with many of the western tribes Settlers got along More experienced military leadership • Navy was the most powerful in the world • Strong alliance with the 6 tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy. • Settlers squabbled among themselves

Disputed territory • Tension between the countries increased because both claimed the area of the Ohio River Valley. • This frontier region was huge, about 200,000 square miles (about the size of France). • British traders had formed agreements with tribes that had previously traded only with France.

Timeline • 1753 – Virginia's governor sent a young George Washington to warn the French that the Ohio River Valley did not belong to them and to stop building forts there. Those demands were ignored. • 1754 – Governor Dinwiddie again sent Washington to the French with a message; this time he did not go alone. • Led 150 Virginia militia troops to Fort Duquesne (near present day Pittsburgh). • Set up a crude, round stockade of wooden stakes, which they name Fort Necessity. • A scout reported about 30 French soldiers in a nearby camp, so Washington’s men attacked killing 10 and forcing the rest to surrender. • A short time later the French attacked Fort Necessity.

Timeline • July 3, 1754 – severely outnumbered and having lost about one-third of his troops, Washington had no choice but to surrender to the French. • The war had begun. It soon spread to Europe, where it was known as the Seven Years’ War. • 1754 – 1757 – The firs few years of the war in America consisted of a series of disappointing losses for the British and their colonies. As the war progressed, Great Britain continued to suffer losses both in the colonies and on the continent of Europe. • 1757 – William Pitt was put in charge of the war effort. He used the strength of the British navy.

Timeline • 1759 & 1760 – Great Britain captured the key French Canadian cities of Quebec and Montreal, respectively. • 1760 – Washington again led troops to Fort Duquesne; this time he was victorious. The frontier was made safe and came under British control. • 1763 – The Treaty of Paris is signed which formally ends the war in North America. • Georgia did not take part in the war, but it was helped by it. • The Treaty of Paris set Georgia’s western border at the Mississippi River.

Results of the French and Indian War • The British gained control of Canada • The Frontier – the Ohio Valley and all lands east of the Mississippi River – opened for settlement by the other colonies • Great Britain obtained Florida from Spain, which had been a ally of the French during the war • France gave the Louisiana Territory to Spain for its help during the war • After 150 years of colonization, France lost all of its land in the area

Results of the French and Indian War • Perhaps most importantly, the French and Indian War led to the American Revolution. • After the war, Great Britain found itself left with a huge war debt • To the British, it seemed logical to tax the colonists to cover those expenses

Review • Which statement about Georgia regarding the French and Indian War is correct? • Georgia gained new territory as a result of the war • Georgia colonists suffered great losses of line and property • Georgia was a buffer zone in the fighting between the French and the Indians • Georgia was the only colony to support the French against the British in the war

Review • Which statement about Georgia regarding the French and Indian War is correct? • Georgia gained new territory as a result of the war

Review • How did the French and the British compare as the French and Indian War began? • The French forces had more experienced military leaders but lacked a strong army to fight the British. • The French had a number of alliances with the Indians, but the British had a larger number of troops. • The French had the strongest navy and army but their settlers fought bitterly among themselves. • The British had the strongest navy and army but lacked Indian alliances to fight the French.

Review • During the French and Indian War, why did not of the Native American tribes side with the French? • The Indians had become Catholic. • The Indians worked for the French as guides. • The Indians negotiated treaties with the French. • The Indians were trading partners with the French.

Review • Which statement BEST describes how the French and Indian War led to America’s Revolutionary War? • Great Britain gained control of Canada and tried to use Canada’s tax structure on the thirteen colonies. • France lost the Louisiana territory, and the southern colonies argued with Great Britain over claims to the newly acquired land. • To get revenge, France incited rebellion in the colonies and enticed Spain to move into the territories of the British colonies. • To get money to repay war debts, Great Britain taxed the colonies on the premise that the war had been necessary to protect the colonies from the French.

The French and Indian War